November 14, 2005

Indonesia will not take loans to fight bird flu
        

Indonesia's agricultural minister Anton Apriantono said the country would not take international loans to fight bird flu, but grants would be welcomed. Apriantono added that National Development Planning Minister Sri Mulyani and Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari have supported the decision.

Apriantono made the comment in response to rumours that Indonesia was unwilling to request for international aid in funding towards anti-bird flu measures.

He said Indonesia had made a presentation on bird flu during the recent Geneva meeting of delegates worldwide. The World Bank, World Health Organization, and the Food and Agriculture Organization were also present at the meeting.

Apriantono has so far only mentioned his ministry needed Rp1.3 trillion (about US$1.3 billion) to fight bird flu until 2008. But he did not say the total amount needed by Indonesia to combat the disease.

Meanwhile, World Bank's president, Paul Wolfowitz, had informed Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of the bank's desire to extend aid against bird flu.

The bank had already pledged between US$300 million and US$500 million in grants and soft loans to help affected countries.